It's Fathers' Day

I love to see DH opening cards on Fathers' Day as we could so easily have lost him when he had a stroke two years ago. I still miss my lovely Dad who died in 1969. I know it was a long time ago but there's never a day goes by when I don't think of him. My DD's friend lost her Dad a few years ago and posted this poem on her facebook page today. It moved me so much I thought I'd share it with you.

Dear Dad,
I thought of you today but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday and days before that too.
I think of you in silence and I often speak your name.
All I have is memories and a picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake from which I'll never part.
God has you in his arms but I have you in my heart.

Elegran xx

To everyone who does not have their Dad with them to celebrate Fathers Day for whatever reason , personally I hate Fathers Day.

On a cheerful note, my son phoned to say what a great day he'd had, new sign "Dad's Shed", for his new shed (it took him all week to get it built, so he was very pleased), and a larger bbq lighter,(he's always cooking). He'd spent the morning with step son messing around and going to the tip (boys will be boys!) and cutting the grass. He's thoroughly enjoyed his day.

My dad would have been so happy for him

elegran and also Gally and any other wonderful Gnetters who feel sad.

Maniac I'm so sorry for your pain and that of your son.

When so glad to share in your happiness for you,it also gives a message of hope to others as well

The chinese lanterns are such a lovely idea and you can get 'green' ones now, as some complaints were made about them landing in farmers' frields.

Last year, I was so sad on this day, but didn't begrudge any other dads and grandparents enjoying their day seeing the children in their lives, and I hope we can share in someone else's success in regaining contact with the children in their families soon

When DD died we had to wait for 11 months for a funeral whilst all police investigations where going on,so we held a memorial service and we looked at different ways of celebrating her life,she was a very free spirit and I hit upon the idea of releasing balloons outside the church whic was in the town shopping precinct,we released 300 of them in all different colours,it was very uplifting and everyone felt very cheered even spectators.
The balloons always to me signify the flying free of a spirit skywards and now do this whenever we want to connect and feel we need to send a message to her,we have also thought to use the Chinese flying lanterns as well which are lovely to watch and you can write your messages of love on those as well...maniac hope this works for you alsoxxxxxx

nellie I like the balloon idea too .It's a lovely thought whenever I want to connect to GS.maybe the love energy will touch him somehow.

nellie' I think the balloon idea is lovely.

Echoing what crimson and others have said, it is so poignant to read about those of you for whom this is a sad day. DH has always pooh poohed Fathers' Day as an "American" (ultimate insult ) invention designed to benefit the card retailers, but I think he was happy to receive them from DDs (plus one from littlest boys) and happier still to speak to them on the phone this morning. But when a "day" carries so much emotional baggage it can be a relief when it is over.
to all those for whom today arouses sad memories and feelings of loss.

elegran. So sad '
I always find buying a balloon and writing your message on it letting it off in a place special to you or your garden which is more private is very helpful.

elegran

So sad for the dads and their families,these celebration days are hard for you all,I understand from all points of view.
We have bought a card for GD,s father,but unable to send as we don't know a current address,and we have to disguise our area where we live,will try and find a way so she can send card and letter,thing is as a parent I understand how he must feel,but it such a shame he has no insight that he has done exactly the same thing to us.hope you all get some comfort today,and I am happy for all of you who are seeing your DGC ,And my heart goes out to all of you who are denied.
Respect to all to the lovely stepdads,who are unsung heros .
We have no fathers day emoticon so will have just send lovexxxx

Ella This is my first year without cards on the mantlepiece from my children (and grandchildren) to my dear husband.

I still find Father's day hard - 10 years since he died. He was the one man I knew I could trust and would always be there for me no matter what I did, so long as I never hurt my Mum. I cannot take other half for granted in the same way, even though we have been married 46 years.

when have a lovely day with the men in your life you are allowed to spoil them as much as you want to-day so on you go My heart goes out to those who are without their DGC and their DCs it makes me very sad as to the thinking of the (mainly) women who allow this to happen to their children.

Manac I was thinking of you and the other Gransnetters who are denied contact like their sons. I wish the happy outcome for you that a few of us have started to have. There is a definite sea-change happening and the sooner these children see their dads and grandparents, the better.

Alas, these days that are meant to be happy occasions are also the days that can tip you over the edge into the black pit that is despair and hopelesness. Love and hugs to everyone in a sad place today.

maniac so sorry

Happy for you whenand for all the new fathers.
Its a sad day for me and my son -2nd fathers day without contact with my grandson.I'm afraid my son is in the depths of despair.

whenim64 have a wonderful day for you. Also happy Fathers Day to my wonderful son who is a stay at home Dad. He has two little girls age 7 months and 3 years old who are a credit to him and his wife.

Ella

Mixed feelings for me as it is my first FD without my dad,and my son's first one as a dad (not just step dad).